Course Summary

Boost your confidence ahead of the CSET General Science Subtest I exam with our interesting review course. Review short video lessons, which cover all the topics you can expect to see on the exam, and then test your knowledge using our self-assessment quizzes and chapter tests.

About the Course

The CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) General Science Subtest I is the first of three exams designed to evaluate the subject-area knowledge of applicants for a teaching license in California. Subtest I includes 58 multiple-choice questions along with two constructed-response questions, which ask you to briefly answer a prompt in paragraph form.

The exam is paper-based only, and you'll be allotted five hours of testing time during which you can take one or more subtests. Let us help you prepare for the exam with study guides on the following topics:

Astronomy

Geodynamics

Earth resources

Waves

Forces and motion

Electricity and magnetism

Investigation and experimentation

Nature of science

Science and society

Subtest I covers two types of content. Some questions test your knowledge of six main subject areas, while others examine your familiarity with the scientific process, scientific ethics and scientists' roles and responsibilities. You might be asked to identify structures comprising the universe - including galaxies, stars and planets - and describe how plate tectonics, weather patterns and other processes shape the Earth's surface. You'll also need to be familiar with types of natural resources, like hydropower and shale gas, as well as characteristics of sound and light waves. Newton's laws as they relate to force and motion are also covered, as are electric charges, magnetic fields and types of circuits. Questions assessing your ability to safely design and carry out an experiment, evaluate the accuracy of scientific data and apply the results to scientific theory are also included on the exam.

CSET General Science Subtest I Preparation and Registration

Our study guide includes chapters addressing each of the CSET General Science exam's content areas. Watch the videos to review key topics and take the self-assessment quizzes at the end of each lesson to get an idea of what types of questions are found on the exam. You can also use the results to identify any areas for improvement.

The regular registration deadline for Subtest I is around three weeks before the exam date, which takes place six times a year. Registration is an online process requiring you to create an account that includes your personal information and background. You'll also be asked to select your testing location and test date and specify which institutions you'd like to receive your results. Payment is also required at this time. Once the process has been completed, you'll get an email containing an admissions ticket that you must print and present on exam day.

CSET General Science Subtest I Scoring

Points are awarded for correct answers to multiple-choice questions, which make up 80% of the exam score. You can also receive up to three points each for answers to constructed-response questions. These are evaluated by a panel of licensed teachers and assessed on such factors as the quality of the supporting evidence you provided and your overall knowledge of the subject matter. How well you addressed the question is also taken into consideration.

You'll need 220 total points to pass Subtest I of the CSET General Science exam, and you'll receive the results around one month after your test date.

Part One: Astronomy

The exam's astronomy questions cover topics like the structure of the universe and solar system as well as the patterns of the moon, planets and stars. You should also be able to recognize the different characteristics of stars and planets. The uses of such instruments as reflecting and refracting telescopes and astronomical units of measurement are covered as well.

Part One: Geodynamics

Geodynamics is concerned with the phenomena that develop the Earth's features. Questions on this topic test your knowledge of how thermal processes and shifting tectonic plates cause the earthquakes and volcanoes that shape and reshape the Earth's surface. The roles of weather, rock and water cycles are also covered.

Part One: Earth Resources

Questions about the Earth's resources test you on the origins of materials like fossil fuels and biomass. You'll also need to be familiar with the processes and energy expenditure required to convert nonrenewable and renewable resources into usable forms as well as the consequences of such processes on the environment. Test questions also cover the sustainability of these resources.

Part One: Waves

Exam questions covering this area ask you to identify characteristics of different types of waves, including seismic and sound waves, and explain how they transfer energy. You'll also be tested on your knowledge of concepts like reflection and refraction and their practical applications in the optic lenses of instruments like microscopes and telescopes.

Part One: Forces and Motion

Questions on forces and motion require you to calculate and graph such variables as speed, distance and acceleration. You'll need to be able to recognize how factors like force and mass can be manipulated by mechanical devices and describe the role pressure plays in buoyancy and fluid flow. Your familiarity with Newton's laws will also be tested.

Part One: Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism questions examine your knowledge of simple and parallel circuits. Different ways electric current can be manipulated by the polarity of magnetic force are also covered. You might also be asked to identify how these phenomena can be used to create electric current generators and transformers.

Part Two: Investigation and Experimentation

These types of questions test your ability to formulate a hypothesis, design and carry out an experiment and use the appropriate tools to collect data. You'll also need to know how to evaluate, graph and analyze the results, draw conclusions and connect findings back to a hypothesis.

Part Two: Nature of Science

Nature of science questions assess your familiarity with the scientific ethics that require practitioners in this field to clearly and accurately report their procedures and findings. The importance of curiosity and skepticism in the scientific process and the responsibility of experimenters to critically examine scientific theories are also covered in these types of exam questions.

Part Two: Science and Society

Test questions on science and society ask you to recognize the role of scientists in increasing the general public's science literacy. You'll also need to be familiar with the procedures necessary for maintaining safe laboratory settings and classrooms, including the proper use of protective equipment like goggles and aprons and the safe use and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials.

California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is a registered trademark of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which is not affiliated with Study.com.

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